Jones hopes vanish as Jamaica win relay gold

Jamaica powered to gold in the women's 4x100 metres relay after a baton-change blunder involving superstar Marion Jones ended the US challenge.

Jamaica powered to Olympic gold in the women's 4x100 metres relay on Friday after a baton-change blunder involving superstar Marion Jones ended the United States challenge.

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Veronica Campbell anchored the Jamaican quartet to their first ever win in the event, bagging her second gold of the games after her victory in the 200m.

But pre-race favourites the United States finished out of the medals for the first time since the US-boycotted 1980 Moscow Olympics after a mix-up between Jones and third leg runner Lauryn Williams.

Three-time Olympic champion Jones failed to get the baton into 100m silver medallist Lauryn Williams's hand, though Williams had taken off too early.

Russia won the silver medal while France won the bronze.